Combine



April 24, 1945.

J. F. CURRAN COMBINE Filed Dec. 10, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Iuuent or @ES uk/F Cwrrwzz/ mafia W m I -April 24, 1945. .1. F. CURRAN COMBINE Filed Dec. 10,. 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor By M @MM Patented Apr. 24, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COMBINE Joseph F. Curran, Luverne, Iowa Application December 10, 1942, Serial No. 468,569

1 Claim.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in combines for use particularly on windrowed grain.

These combines usually comprise an elevator which operates at a steep inclination and on the slatted canvas of which there is always present (while in operation) a loose mat of grain, which does not adhere closely to said canvas. Consequently, frequent clogging or piling up of a the grain occurs, necessitating the operator stopping the machine, alighting therefrom and removing the clogged or piled up grain, thus greatly lowering the efficiency of said machine, in addition to being very annoying to the operator. The primary object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth novel means for assisting the elevator by causing the grain to adhere to the canvas sufiiciently to move upwardly at all times, thereby preventing the aforementioned clogging or piling up of said grain.

Other objects of the invention are to provide an apparatus of the character described which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, highly eflicient and reliable in use, compact, light in weight, and which may be manufactured at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a combine elevator equipped with a device in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a view in 'vertical longitudinal section therethrough. I

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view through the drum.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that reference numeral l designates generally a combine elevator. The elevator I includes the usual endless slatted header canvas 2 which is operable between a pair of side boards 3. A conventional pick-up 4 is provided between the side boards 3 at the lower end of the header canvas 2.

Mounted'at an intermediate point on the upper edges of the side boards 3 is a pair of substantially U-shaped guides 5. Rotatably and floatingly mounted in the guides 5 is a transverse shaft 6. Fixed on the shaft 6 is a drum 7.

The drum 1 is of light weight and comprises a pair of end discs 8 of suitable material secured to the shaft 6. The cylinder 9 of the drum 1 is of canvas orother suitable material. Slats I0 are provided on the drum 1.

It is thought-that the operation of the invention will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, as the grain is carried upwardly by the header canvas 2, said grain passes under the drum 1 which is raised and rotated thereby. The weight of the drum 1 is sufficient to cause the grain to adhere to the header canvas 2 and move upwardly therewith. The floating mounting of the drum 1 permits said drum to readily adjust itself to meet various conditions.

It is believed that the many advantages of a combine elevator embodying the present invention will be readily understood, and although a preferred form of the device is as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

In a combine elevator, the combination with an inclined conveyor including a pair of side boards and an endless slatted canvas operable therebetween, of means for causing the grain to adhere to the canvas embodying a pair of upstanding substantially U-shaped guides on the upper edges of the side boards and perpendicular to the inclined conveyor, a shaft rotatably and floatingly mounted in said guides, and a slatted drum on the shaft engageable by gravity with grain on the canvas, said drum being disposed substantially intermediate the ends of the conveyor.

JOSEPH F. CURRAN. 

